Page 50 of Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
“Ah, there you are!My dear, where have you been hiding?”
Her aunt rose from her position on the sofa and bustled toward her, giving her a once over.Clearly, she did not approve of the state of her gown.Faint grass stains were on the skirt where she had kneeled in the cemetery.Sweat dampened her bodice and back and her hair was disheveled and not at all tidy.She was not presentable enough to receive guests.
“My goodness.Are you well?You look flushed,” her aunt said.
She looked at Gabriel who shot her a glare as he stepped out of the room, disappearing in the depths of the manor.His presence was the only thing that gave her strength and now he was gone.Leaving her alone with the wolves.
“I…I got your letter today saying you were coming.I hurried from the post,” Victoria said.“I apologize for my appearance.I should change.”
“No need on my account,” the earl said, rising from his chair.He stepped around her aunt and offered her a brilliant smile.
Hewashandsome with striking blue eyes, blond hair that swooped across his forehead, a perfect face that exuded aristocracy.Indeed, he looked how the 22nd Earl of Berkhampsteadshouldlook.Regal.Noble.Finely dressed.He exuded old money.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.
“Oh, how impertinent of me!”her aunt gasped.“Lord Charles, this is my niece, Miss Victoria Ravenwood.Victoria, darling, may I present to you the Earl of Berkhampstead?”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, stiffly.
He extended his hand to her.She took it, reluctantly.His fingers closed around hers, giving her a strong, hearty handshake.
“Your aunt has told me a lot about you and this manor.”He glanced up at the rafters, as though he were impressed by the aged coffered ceiling.
“Has she?”
“Indeed, I have,” she announced and stepped to the tea service with a swish of voluminous skirts.“I told him all about your inheritance and how you were left this crumbling pile of bricksandthe fortune to fix it.Such an exciting challenge for a young lady, don’t you think?”
Horror sliced through her as her gaze snapped to her aunt.She sucked in a quiet breath, trying to decide how to respond and what to say.How could Aunt Eloise divulge such personal information?Her aunt prattled on, unaware of her misstep, as she poured a cup of tea.
“I really don’t understand how you can stay here with that…that…caretaker.”She gave a mock shudder and wrinkled her nose in disdain.“So cold and aloof.How do you two get on?”She turned her prying gaze on Victoria, clearly looking for gossip.
“We get on just fine,” Victoria said, tersely.
Next to her, the earl shifted, uneasy.He cleared his throat.
“I understand your mother planted most of the gardens with prize winning flowers,” he said, trying to steer the conversation a different direction.“I’d love to see them.”
“Oh—” Victoria began.
The clink of a cup on a saucer interrupted her.“Yes!Let’s see the gardens.It will give us something to do to pass the time while we wait for luncheon to be served.”
Victoria tried not to bristle at that.As though Gabriel were nothing but a servant here to take care of every whim from luncheon to serving tea.He was much more than that.She looked from her aunt to Lord Charles who appeared to be uncomfortable with her aunt’s brash tone.
“If you’ll follow me, then, my lord.”
Victoria led them from the parlor, thankful to be out of the stifling room.She hadn’t realized just how much she was on edge.A gust of icy air swept through the corridor ahead of them.Too cold for the warmth of the day.Victoria tensed.Lenore hadn’t made an appearance, but the manorhadnoticed the intrusion.
And it did not take kindly to their arrival.
Chapter 20
AuntEloisehurriedalongthe footpath ahead of them, as though she were intent on giving them some privacy yet remaining within earshot.Likely to interject at any opportune moment.Lord Charles walked next to her in amicable silence as they headed into the vibrant gardens, the afternoon breeze lifting the hair off her sticky neck.A welcome reprieve.
A flapping overhead caught her attention.She glanced up in time to see the raven wing through the air ahead of them.Neither Lord Charles nor her aunt noticed it, yet.
“It’s quite the estate, Miss Ravenwood.Though I daresay it needs a strong hand to restore it.Perhaps two?”He gave her a sideways look, one corner of his mouth lifted in a half-grin.
She knew where this was going and she didn’t like it.She needed to head him off before he started proposing marriage.“The manor’s bones are indeed strong, but I’d rather not tear it down just to make it fashionable.”
